Kolkata, 03 June (H.S.) : The West Bengal government on Wednesday announced that June 20 will be officially observed as “West Bengal Day” from this year onwards. The decision was taken at a state Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Panchayat Minister Dilip Ghosh said the date holds historical significance as, on June 20, 1947, the then Bengal Legislative Assembly passed a crucial resolution under the leadership of Syama Prasad Mookerjee. The resolution paved the way for the partition of Bengal and the creation of the state of West Bengal.

“In recognition of this historic event, the state government has decided to celebrate June 20 every year as West Bengal Day,” Ghosh said.

The BJP had previously observed June 20 as West Bengal Day, while the former Trinamool Congress government marked the occasion on Poila Boishakh, the Bengali New Year, which falls on April 14 or 15.

The minister also announced year-long celebrations to commemorate the 125th birth anniversary of Jana Sangh founder Syama Prasad Mookerjee. His birth anniversary falls on July 6.

According to Ghosh, a 10-member committee comprising ministers, legislators and other eminent personalities will be constituted to oversee the commemorative programmes. A special ceremony will also be held on July 6 at a selected site where a statue of Mookerjee will be installed.

The Cabinet further approved the expansion of the state’s subsidised meal programme, ‘Maa Ahaar’. The scheme, which currently operates at 390 locations across the state, will be extended to 500 centres.

The previous Trinamool Congress government had launched the Maa Canteen initiative, offering egg-and-rice meals for Rs 5. The BJP government has modified the scheme to provide fish meals at the same subsidised rate and has renamed it ‘Maa Ahaar’.

The state government said the decisions are aimed at honouring Bengal’s historical legacy while expanding welfare initiatives for the people.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh